System for treating biological samples, comprising a system for conveying holders for biological sample containers

A biological sample treatment system comprising:

• a conveyor system;
• and
• an analysis device or a measurement device;
• wherein
• the conveyor system comprises a plurality of container holders, a conveyor unit and a plurality of receiving locations;
• each container holder of the plurality of container holders is configured to hold a container containing a biological sample;
• each container holder of the plurality of container holders comprises a first face and a second face opposite the first face;
• the conveyor unit is configured to convey the plurality of container holders;
• the conveyor unit includes a carriage guide element and a self-propelled conveyor carriage;
• the carriage guide element defines a conveyor track;
• the self-propelled conveyor carriage is movable along the conveyor track;
• the carriage guide element is configured to guide the self-propelled conveyor carriage during displacements of the self-propelled conveyor carriage along the conveyor track;
• the self-propelled conveyor carriage includes a carriage body;
• the self-propelled conveyor carriage is configured to move a container holder of the plurality of container holders along a travel path when the self-propelled conveyor carriage moves along the conveyor track;
• the plurality of receiving locations is arranged along the travel path and laterally offset with respect to the travel path;
• each receiving location of the plurality of receiving locations is configured to receive and hold a container holder of the plurality of container holders;
• the self-propelled conveyor carriage is further configured to move a container holder of the plurality of container holders transversely to the travel path so as to move the container holder into or out of a receiving location;
• the analysis device or the measurement device or both are arranged along the conveyor unit and configured to carry out blood tests;
• the self-propelled conveyor carriage includes a first gripping arm and a second gripping arm spaced apart from the first gripping arm;
• the first gripping arm and the second gripping arm are mounted movable between a gripping position and a release position such that in the gripping position the first gripping arm and the second gripping arm are brought closer and grip and lift a container holder of the plurality of container holders arranged in a first receiving location of the plurality of receiving locations, and such that in the release position the first gripping arm and the second gripping arm are moved away from each other, release the container holder and deposit the container holder in a second receiving location of the plurality of receiving locations;
• the self-propelled conveyor carriage is configured to move a container holder of the plurality of container holders, with the first gripping arm and the second gripping arm gripping and lifting the container holder, along the travel path when the self-propelled conveyor carriage moves along the conveyor track;
• the first gripping arm includes a first lifting member;
• the second gripping arm includes a second lifting member;
• the first lifting member is configured to fit in a first receiving recess of a first face of a container holder of the plurality of container holders;
• the second lifting member is configured to fit in a second receiving recess of a second face of the container holder;
• and
• the first lifting member and the second lifting member are configured to lift the container holder when the first gripping arm and the second gripping arm are moved towards the gripping position.